Another Ninety-Five
T H E S I S # 61
Every christian has the calling of either apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, in varying degrees of anointing. Each is called to minister the Word to the church and to the world.
Ephesians 4:11: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
“Some…. some…. some…. some.”
Who, within evangelicalism, are “some”?
The licensed and titled and salaried would suggest the licensed and titled and salaried are “some”. Their interpretation is simple: Some means few, and if not few than at least less than all, and therefore Ephesians 4:11 cannot refer to every believer. Spiritual elitism so evident in gospel churches (and other churches) is buoyed by this pet verse.
But there is another interpretation (perhaps more valid?) that allows every born-again believer to be included in these five preaching ministry gifts….
You come across a notice in the newspaper: The Vegan Club of Carrot County held their annual banquet last night. It was a good turnout, about 50 people. Some brought vegetable salads, some brought homemade vegetable juice, some cooked vegetable stews, and some fruit salads and pies.
“Some…. some…. some…. some.”
You can see “some” could be a few, many, most, or all (although it seems everyone brought something). Same with Ephesians 4:11 – “some” could be few, many, most, or all. To determine which of the four possibilities is most likely, we simply have to peruse the preceding and ensuing verses.
Ephesians 4:7: To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
“Each one of us” tells us grace was given to all. In what design was (is) grace given?
Ephesians 4:8: Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
“Grace” of Ephesians 4:7 was given in the design of “gifts” in 4:8. If all were given grace, and this grace was ‘packaged’ in gifts, therefore all were given at least one gift. (And therefore so were you.)
What gifts?
Ephesians 4:11: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
These gifts are what could be called preaching gifts, because they require preaching. It seems a secure conclusion that all were (are) given at least one preaching gift.
Ephesians 4:12: For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.
“The work of ministry” is preaching. Who ministers? “The saints” (that’s all the saints) were to be equipped for ministry (equipped for preaching).
Equipped by whom? Equipped by Christ through christians, all of whom have been endowed with preaching gifts. We equip each other.
Ephesians 4:14: That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro…
Ephesians 4:15: But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up…
Note: The “we” (all believers) of 4:14 are the same ones “speaking the truth” in 4:15. “Speaking the truth” is preaching. All believers are called to be preachers.
Ephesians 4:16: From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies…
“Every joint” is every believer.
Ephesians 4:16: According to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body…
Who “causes growth of the body”? “Every part” (every christian).
So back to….
Ephesians 4:11: He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
So can you find yourself in Ephesians 4:11? “Seek, and you will find”?
It seems clear every believer is included in these five preaching-ministry gifts; get this and your christianity will be greatly enhanced. Freedom from low expectations of others is for those who see themselves from the perspective of The Word.
Ephesians 4:7: To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Paul seems to be saying Christ’s gifts have varying degrees of anointing. This we can see for ourselves by observing christians, some having a heavier anointing than others. (It would be a mistake to assume the pulpit guy has a more bountiful anointing than most, although such is quite possible.) The Teacher has taught us there is advancement for faithful stewards of our talents (read Matthew, chapter 25).
It’s important to realize Paul did not give us these verses so we can switch our gaze from Lord Jesus to ourselves and the gifts He has given. The church is overly gift conscious. No, our focus should be firmly fixed on “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession”, “the prophet from Nazareth”, “the Lord of the harvest [the evangelist ‘behind’ the evangelist]”, “the good shepherd [pastor]”, “your teacher, the Christ”.
The going mentality seems to be: Identify your gift and fulfill that ministry. Wrong. It isn’t necessary to identify the gift (or gifts) the Lord has deposited in you. To live successfully, your identity must always be in Christ Jesus, not in a particular function.
We are to learn surrender to the Holy Spirit, and let Him unfold our lives. Such is healthy christianity. Only then will life “be done decently and in order.” The prophet will find himself prophesying, the evangelist will be evangelizing, the pastor…. well, you know.
If everyone understood every believer is called to preach, ugly elitism within the church of Jesus Christ would lose its strength.
Your preaching, to be effective, must emerge from prayer. Spend more time preparing your heart than your head. The world and the church have little use for another dry-eyed intellectual.
There is no need to be your own door opener, to scheme opportunities, to elicit contacts with the influential, to be politically correct. Such is the opposite of childlike trust in the only One you need. True loyalty to Christ is doing things His way even if you thought His way would not bear good fruit. (Yes, such is impossible.)
If dependence is on Him alone, you will serve Him alone.
If you are the branch firmly attached to The Vine, the Holy Spirit will, in due time, use you to proclaim “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” to the world and to His own. Guaranteed.
So happy preaching, brother! Happy preaching, sister!